Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
No guts, no glory.
Brisbane’s off-season recruits Oscar Allen and Sam Draper came up clutch in the Lions’ stunning seven-point grand final win over Fremantle.
The only two Lions on the field without a premiership, the pair are pinching themselves after claiming a flag in their debut season with Brisbane.
It wasn’t without a few bumps along the way, with Allen sidelined for three months with a foot injury.
The key forward was able to return for round 21 and kicked two goals in Saturday’s 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89) decider, repaying the faith of coach Chris Fagan.
“I’ve been out for 13 weeks with a broken foot. I haven’t kicked a goal in the last two weeks as a key forward, and he backs me in,” the former West Coast Eagle told AAP, reflecting on Fagan’s decision.
“That’s what he does to people. He backs them in, and the players will repay him. It’s clear to see that it’s a great formula.”
At his last grand-final parade back in 2018, Allen believed he was about to play in the decider for West Coast.
But heroic defender Jeremy McGovern courageously took his place in the big match with broken ribs, helping the Eagles to a famous five-point win.
“Even if we didn’t win tonight, the decision (to leave West Coast) was justified for me,” Allen said.
He didn’t touch the cup or a premiership medal on the back of advice from Eagles forward Mark LeCras, who missed out on West Coast’s 2006 premiership but featured in the 2018 flag.
Allan shared a moment clutching the cup with Draper, who managed 26 games in his first season with the Lions after departing Essendon following a season-ending knee injury.
“You take a risk moving your whole life into a different state and the risk has paid off,” Draper told AAP.
“I’m just so happy, so proud. I’ve faced a few challenges coming back from injury.
“That rocked me at the start of the year when I got injured but thankfully my beautiful partner was there to support me and pick me up and put things in perspective.”
Along with Darcy Fort, the Lions ruck battled hard with Fremantle behemoth Luke Jackson and slotted a goal from outside 50 in the second quarter.
But it wasn’t even his favourite moment of the titanic battle.
“It was pretty sweet. About 70 metres out … just kidding,” he smiled.
“Happy to kick a goal in the grand final but that last quarter was the highlight.
“I saw the guys celebrating on the bench but I didn’t want to believe it that the game was over.”
